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If you are familiar with adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), you have probably heard of the 5/1 ARM or even the 10/1 or 1/1 ARM. There is a newer ARM loan available that is growing in popularity: the 5/5. Here’s everything you need to know about this unique loan product.
What is it?
The first number in an ARM refers to how long the initial fixed-rate period is, and the second number tells how often the mortgage rate can adjust thereafter. Thus a 5/5 ARM is one with a fixed interest rate for the first 5 years that will adjust every 5 years from that point on.
While having an ...

Adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loans always grow in popularity when interest rates are on the rise. Some borrowers think ARMs are the best way to save money on their mortgage in a higher rate climate. ARM loans can also be helpful for those who do not plan to stay in their home more than a few years. Whatever the reason, if you are considering an adjustable rate mortgage here are three things you need to know before signing.
1. What type of ARM are you getting?
Of course, you already know that an adjustable rate mortgage means that eventually your loan interest rate can adjust higher or ...

The majority of homes around the country are purchased with the aid of traditional, conforming mortgage loans. Yet when home prices rise quickly, many markets have price tags that are too high for these standard loans. Enter the jumbo loan.
What is a Jumbo Loan?
Jumbo mortgage loans are those that have a higher dollar amount than the limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises that buy up home loans and sell them on the secondary market. Since Fannie and Freddie are backed by the federal government, they create loan limits to minimize the risk of loss t...

When you are in the market for a mortgage, one of the many decisions you’ll have to make is whether to apply for a fixed-rate loan or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Both can be beneficial, depending on your situation. Learning the difference between them can ensure you get the right product for your financial goals.
Fixed-Rate Mortgages
Fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) are just as their name suggests - loan with a fixed interest rate, a rate that never changes over the course of the mortgage. The obvious benefit of this type of loan is that your monthly payment, as well as your inte...